The St. Francis Dam was a 200-foot high concrete gravity-arch dam built between 1924 and 1926 in St. Francisquito Canyon (near present-day Castaic and Santa Clarita). The dam collapsed on March 12, 1928 at two and a half minutes before midnight. The resulting flood killed more than 600 residents plus an unknown number of itinerant farm workers camped in San Francisquito Canyon, making it the 2nd greatest loss of life in California after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It is considered the worst American civil engineering failure in the 20th century.
Hayward Thompson successfully drove for five hours and thirteen minutes, a total of 100 miles, through congested traffic all while completely blindfolded. The affair was his 333rd exhibition and the longest since his sixty mile drive in Miami.
W. H. Bowers and Olive Orr Brugen-Schmidt Bowers, married three just months, seated together at a court proceeding. Olive Bowers was accused of plotting with Elmer M. Archer to poison her husband. The plot was discovered when their conversations were overheard on a 2-party telephone line.
Irvin Taplin, seated, and L.E. Lampton, standing, both with right hands raised, with Harry Hunt, standing, looking on, at desk with pens, papers, books, and sign reading TAPLIN
Painting of King Gustav V, in military uniform with sword, printed as a plate in a book and photographed from open book on mat or carpet. Caption under plate reads: H. M. King Gustaf V of Sweden (In the Swedish Chamber of Commerce of the U.S.A.)
View of plant debris and a muddy agricultural field with evenly spaced plantings beyond in the path of the flood caused by the failure of the Saint Francis Dam. A straight, elevated area in the background may be a road.
Three men stand in Harry Chandler's Baja California ranch, the California-Mexico Land and Cattle Company (C & M Ranch). The courtyard's landscaping includes a variety of desert plants.
The St. Francis Dam was a 200-foot high concrete gravity-arch dam built between 1924 and 1926 in St. Francisquito Canyon (near present-day Castaic and Santa Clarita). The dam collapsed on March 12, 1928 at two and a half minutes before midnight. The resulting flood killed more than 600 residents plus an unknown number of itinerant farm workers camped in San Francisquito Canyon, making it the 2nd greatest loss of life in California after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It is considered the worst American civil engineering failure in the 20th century.
Photograph of four young women seated on a pier railing opposite the entrance to a dance hall (not visible in this photo, see image ark no. 21198/zz002d9zdt). A young man watches from the background.
The St. Francis Dam was a 200-foot high concrete gravity-arch dam built between 1924 and 1926 in St. Francisquito Canyon (near present-day Castaic and Santa Clarita). The dam collapsed on March 12, 1928 at two and a half minutes before midnight. The resulting flood killed more than 600 residents plus an unknown number of itinerant farm workers camped in San Francisquito Canyon, making it the 2nd greatest loss of life in California after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It is considered the worst American civil engineering failure in the 20th century.
View of what appears to be a fallen bridge with wooden railings over the Los Angeles River during or after a violent rain storm. A group of men wearing high boots is next to the bridge.
The "Treasure Ship" float with a Spanish galleon bearing golden gifts; the intended inhabitants of the float were driven away by the rain. The Pasadena Memorial Flagpole (Goodhue Flagpole) is visible behind the float in its original location in the middle of the intersection of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard. The float was entered by the Hotel Vista del Arroyo.
Photograph of storm-flooded intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Lake Street. Several automobiles and a bus are traveling through the floodwater on the street. Commercial signs read "Pacific Duco Auto Finishing," "Broadway Hill and Seventh presents...Frances Denney's Herbal Throat and Neck Blend, Corrects 'Crepey' Throat," "Grace Tabernacle...," "Pasadena laundry, 20% off on Laundry Left Here," "Van de Kamps Bakers," and on the bus "E..s Railway 2011."
View of a tow truck connected to an automobile with a rope at the flooded intersection at West First Street and Juanita Avenue. A man next to the car has the hood up and is looking at the engine. Signs on the truck read "Transfer" and "Express."
A similar photograph appears with the article, "Declares Spouse not Home Body; Wife Declares in Divorce Action Husband Deserted Marital Nest Often," Los Angeles Times, July 22, 1926.
"Mandalay" float representing the love boat in the play "East is West." One participant is wearing a traditional Chada hat and costume while others don tunics and round hats. The float was entered by the city of Whittier.
Prince and Princess Kaya undertook a seven-month world tour in 1934, visiting the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany. The tour received extensive press coverage at the time.
"Submarine Garden" float from Educational Pictures at the Electrical Parade and sports pageant in the Memorial Coliseum, a charity event produced by local film studios. A sign on the float reads "Educational Pictures."
View of the "Sea Serpent" float with 3 women. The Pasadena Memorial Flagpole (Goodhue Flagpole) is visible behind the float in its original location in the middle of the intersection of Orange Grove and Colorado Boulevard. The float was entered by the city of Venice.
A large group of people are gathered eating at outdoor picnic tables. American flags are strung over the road and a large structure can be seen in the background.
William Edward Hickman, third from left, poses for a photograph with police officers and prison officials. On the far right is Los Angeles County Jailer Frank Dewar and second from right is Undersheriff Eugene Biscailuz.
Old map in Spanish of the city of Los Angeles. There are handwritten English annotations that say "2/440--City of Los Angeles, Pueblo Lands...January...54...
Judge Clarence L. Kincaid, holding an open book and raising his right hand, administering an oath to Judge Edward R. Brand, who also holds up his right hand. A coat and hat on a coat rack are in the background on the right.
Reverend Van Deerlin passed away following an illness of several weeks. Several months before his death the Reverend penned his will, picked out his own casket and arranging for his final rites. Born in England, he was a member of the priesthood for 66 years and a former missionary. He is survived by his nine children.
"Home Sweet Home" float with a flower-draped Spanish style house with a boy and girl sitting in the front yard. The float was entered by the Los Angeles Chamber of commerce.
View of trucks driving down a flooded street. The front truck carries 2 trailers, the front one covered with a large tarp, and has a sign reading "Pioneer Truck Co." A sign painted on a building reads "Compton Iron-Metal Salvage." Houses are in the background on the right.
![Judge Irvin Taplin, Deputy District Attorney Harry Hunt, and County Clerk L.E. Lampton, at Taplin's desk, [1929?]](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002cndj7/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)
![Painting of King Gustav V of Sweden by Pierre Tartoue, photographed from book, [1933?]](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002cngcm/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)
![Fallen bridge over the Los Angeles River [?], [Los Angeles?], 1927](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002ddfbw/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)
![Commercial street flooded during or after a rainstorm, [Los Angeles County?], 1927](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002ddfj0/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)
![Kidnapping victim Mary Skeele walking blindfolded with a group of men [police detectives?], Los Angeles, 1933](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002ckkgq/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)
![Trucks driving down flooded street, Compton [1927?]](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002dddcx/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)